We're excited to welcome Pastor Michael Long as our new Associate Pastor starting Saturday! If you're in town over this holiday weekend, please join us for our 10:00 service in Tempe to learn more about Pastor Michael and be sure to stick around afterward for a welcome snow cone and very informal welcome time. (Stay tuned for more information about a formal reception hosted by our SPRC.)

On Sundays at 8:30am, starting July 9, Pastors Jeff and Michael will be co-facilitating Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity. LtQ is a small group experience where participants discuss and explore what's next for Christianity. The video-based program features 35 acclaimed scholars, theologians, and other experts, with ample time for lively conversation. The accompanying book will be available for $10. The study will be offered both in-person (in the Palo Verde Room) and via Zoom. Please email the church office at tempeoffice@dayspring-umc.org with questions or to register. Learn more

Blessing of the Backpacks is Sunday, July 16. Children are encouraged to bring their backpacks to church and during the Children’s Time we will share a blessing over these backpacks and the children as they prepare for a new school year. Step Up Sunday, the day children and youth advance a Sunday school grade and regular programming resumes, is August 5.

We host Family Promise, a temporary shelter for homeless families, the week starting July 23. Volunteers are needed to set up, cook, entertain, spend the night, chaperone, and tear down/reset the rooms for Sunday. We have a particular need for overnight volunteers. Email Michelle or look for a table on the patio starting July 9 to sign up or ask questions. 

We offer free choirs for children and youth on Wednesday evenings throughout the school year! Choir experience is one of the best ways for children to develop their voices. They learn proper vocal technique, pitch matching, musicality, and are given solo and theatre opportunities during the year. Rehearsals start the evening of August 2! Please email JulieAnne Weissberg for more information.

SAVE THE DATE! Our Labor Day All-Church Campout is on the books for Sept 1-4 at Hoyer Campground in Greer! Join us for fellowship, campfires, potlucks and FUN at a cool 8500 feet! Registration begins August 1, but you may preregister now (or ask questions) by emailing Carol Muggeridge.

The Desert Southwest Annual Conference was held June 15-17 in Mesa this year. The Annual conference website contains video recordings of the sessions as well as a copy of the proceedings on the following website: dscumc.org/ac. If you click on documents, you will also see details on

the legislative issues before the group and the results. Included was a resolution on LGBTQIA supportive language changes in the Book of Discipline, among others. If you would like a copy of the proceedings, email our Lay Leader, Suzanne Harbster.